Description: They have two-part shells, with both being symmetrical, also having wedge-shaped shell and prominent ribs. It is in the class Bivalvia (known as bivalves) and are small invertebrate. It was one of the most common species during its time.
Pictures:
Tennessee State Fossil
Other side of the fossil
Tip of the fossil
Time Existed: During the Cretaceous Period, around 73 million years ago. Lived at the floor of a shallow ocean that west Tennessee was covered by during the break up of the super continent Pangaea.
Preservation: Extremely well preserved. Found in the Coon creek fossils in west Tennessee, 90 miles east of Memphis, Tennessee.
Fossil Founder: The Coon Creek Science Center.
Reason for it being the state fossil:It is the state fossil because in 1996, a geological and geographical club at the University of Tennessee began a campaign to select the suitable fossil to represent the state of Tennessee. In 1998, Pterotrigoniathoracica was named the state fossil by the Tennessee legislature
Tennessee
By: Minh Nguyen
State Fossil: Bivalve Mollusc
Fossil Binomial Nomenclature name: Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica
Description: They have two-part shells, with both being symmetrical, also having wedge-shaped shell and prominent ribs. It is in the class Bivalvia (known as bivalves) and are small invertebrate. It was one of the most common species during its time.
Pictures:
Time Existed: During the Cretaceous Period, around 73 million years ago. Lived at the floor of a shallow ocean that west Tennessee was covered by during the break up of the super continent Pangaea.
Preservation: Extremely well preserved. Found in the Coon creek fossils in west Tennessee, 90 miles east of Memphis, Tennessee.
Fossil Founder: The Coon Creek Science Center.
Reason for it being the state fossil:It is the state fossil because in 1996, a geological and geographical club at the University of Tennessee began a campaign to select the suitable fossil to represent the state of Tennessee. In 1998, Pterotrigonia thoracica was named the state fossil by the Tennessee legislature
Sources:
"Tennessee State Fossil." 2012. http://www.e-referencedesk.com/resources/state-fossil/tennessee.html (22 Mar., 2012).
"Tennessee State Fossil." 14 Sept., 2011. http://louisvillefossils.blogspot.com/2009/11/pterotrigonia-thoracica-pelecypod.html (23 Mar., 2012)
"Pterotrigonia thoracica Pelecypod." http://louisvillefossils.blogspot.com/2009/11/pterotrigonia-thoracica-pelecypod.html (24 Mar., 2012).
"Coon Creek Fossils." Jul., 2003. http://www.memphisgeology.org/images/rocknews0703.pdf (24 Mar., 2012).
"State Fossil of Tennessee." 2012. http://www.atoztheusa.com/states2.asp?nid=12&cid=45 (25 Mar.,2012).